GardenersCardiff answers:

Fun! This is challenging my own knowledge. I hope I don’t make myself look foolish…lol.

List of “hand tools only”…

Shovels.. (round point & square)
Rakes.. (leaf and hard grading rake)
Hand pruners (preferably “Felco”)
Pruning loppers (anvil, bypass,or ratchet)
Pruning Shears (scissor)
Pruning Saw (fold out)
Weeding Hoe
Trowel
Wheel Barrow or Garden Cart
Pitchfork or Spud Fork
Garden Pick
Post Hole Digger
Bulb Planter
Knee Pads or good pillow
Gloves (leather or cotton)
Bottle of Sun Screen (SPF 50+)
Big Brimmed “Ecuadorian” Hat… Aka “Panama” (to deter UV)
Tall Pitcher of iced, freshly squeezed “lemonade” sitting on the table under the umbrella, next to the comfortable patio chairs. Man, I’m getting thirsty already..lol

**Billy Ray**

GardenersCardiff answers:

I have never seen or heard of this particular tool but here in the United Statesthe Stihl Company makes several different tool heads for one motor. I have a weed eater(string trmmer, an extension chain saw and a hedge trimmer that all fit on the same shaft. I bought each of these separately over a period of time .The listed price of this particular tool seems very cheap in comparison to prices here in the US. I would check this product very carefully and try to find out if any one else there in Australia has ever purchased this particular tool combination and how they liked it. Having several tools that fit on one motor is handy and saves some money if they all work as well as you would expect.

GardenersCardiff answers:

Here are the basic garden tools:

1. A spading fork is your first tool. Before you plant anything, you will need to open and improve the soil. A spading fork looks like a pitchfork but has a shorter handle and wider tines. It is used to dig down into hard soil and break up the ground.

2. Next, choose a hoe. A hoe is useful for weeding and cultivating the surface of the soil to allow for penetration of nutrients and water.

3. You’ll need a watering can. Long nozzles allow the water to come out at a very gentle flow rate and are useful for reaching across long distances. Select a watering can that has a detachable spray head – this type of watering can is perfect for watering young seedlings.

4. Choose a round-ended shovel for larger digging projects, such as planting shrubs and trees.

5. You’ll need a good bow rake, which has short tines on one side attached to a metal frame or ‘bow.’ It’s used for leveling the soil after it has been turned and prior to planting, or for removing large clods of earth or rocks from the soil. You can also turn a bow rake over and use the flat side to smooth soil in preparation for planting.

6. Select a pair of garden shears that fits comfortably in your hand. Shears, sometimes called clippers, are used for pruning, shaping and removing foliage or branches. Don’t buy the most expensive shears until you decide you like gardening.

GardenersCardiff answers:

Try being proactive also by driving/walking past different homes and looking in the property where possible. A lot of properties have loads of junk piled up in their yard or other major issues that you might spot that should be repaired. Take notes and the address and return to make a flyer that targets those issues or better yet knock on the door and maybe negotiate a deal (depending on how good a salesman you are

I’m not sure how it works there but maybe inquire at the local council if they have tenders or any public works available (they should be supporting their local business). Join the Chamber of Commerce if you have that in Britain and see if you can network there as there is usually some council members that attend meetings.

Also advertise in your local paper (usually not that expensive) and leave your brochures on notice boards where ever you can (libraries, townhall, schools, pub etc etc).

You could maybe have a promo where if your client recommends you to someone else whom gives you a job you provide a discount to both or just provide a 10% discount to every first time customer. Not sure if these are practical ideas but they might work.

Good luck

GardenersCardiff answers:

We take gas powered gardening tools here where I work
No electric

GardenersCardiff answers:

You may have subconcious plans to make changes in your life.

GardenersCardiff answers:

I use a wire brush on my garden tools, then give them a light coat of oil applied with a couple of paper towels. You can sharpen and even out the blades with a hand file or a grinder, again being sure to lightly oil the area after sharpening. If you use some of these tools frequently, try a small bucket of sand into which you’ve poured motor oil. Use a bucket with a cover. When you clean your tools, plunge them up and down into the oiled sand until clean, then wipe off any excess sand. This works great with spades, shovels, etc. Another tip: If you must dig in muddy ground, oil the tool before you begin digging. That will help keep mud from building up on the blade. Clean immediately after the job.

GardenersCardiff answers:

Matt:

Your question covers a great deal of area. The diversity of garden tools is unbelievable but I will offer a few comments.

Sharpening any tool, garden or otherwise, is a process of reestablishing the factory shape and cutting edge. A few GOOD files (don’t skimp on files, cheap files are just that) are essential. A midsized vice of reasonable quality will make life a lot easier. A nice but not necessary item is a midsized midcost grinder. A six inch grinder will do a fine job on damaged tools providing they are salvageable. All that remains is some elbow grease and patience.

Sharpening powered tools like chainsaw chains, hedge trimmer and so forth can be a bit tricky. Some hands on instruction would be very helpful in this area. Some items in the power catagory likes mower blades are doable by weekend gardners. A balance checker, usually available where mowers and mower parts are sold, is important. Keeping the blade balanced is important to safety and to the life expectancy of your mower engine. I do mower blades with a file. Some use a grinder, I think it’s a matter of personal preferance and perhaps speed required by professional sharpenes.

I did a Yahoo search, “How to sharpen garden tools”. I received several hits for books and magazine articles. Take a look at the book rack in a home improvement center. You might find something there.

Last thought: You are, of course, free to spend your money as you see fit but I wouldn’t spend any of my money on any of the cheap sharpeners. Sharpening tools just has too many variables to make any of them get my money.

If you care to discuss a particular tool, contact me through my profile and I’ll do my best to help.

GardenersCardiff answers:

ABSOLUTELY. I grow tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, yellow squash, and jalapenos every year. Tomatoes are definitely my biggest crop. If you ate a tomato grown in your yard, you’d understand. I can’t even begin to tell you how much more flavorful home-grown tomatoes are compared to the hot-house variety you buy at a grocery store. Go to a farmers market and buy a couple – you’ll never want to eat those tasteless hot house tomatoes again.

Since I can’t grow my vegetables all year round, and I can’t eat all my vegetables before they go bad, I make things with them that can be canned like homemade salsa, marinara sauce, and dill pickles.

I also keep an herb garden all year round…fresh herbs are so much more flavorful and fresh than using the dried variety. In the winter months, I use an aerogarden (hydroponic, indoor garden) for my herbs. The best part is that my herbs are ready when I need them, I don’t have to buy them, and they don’t go bad before I can use them.

GardenersCardiff answers:

Ok… First, basic garden tools….

You will need…..

*Spade
*Trowel
(I prefer the narrow, transplanter trowel)
*Cultivator
*Garden gloves (water proof, preferably)

Optional….

*Knee cushion
*Pruning Sheers
*Bucket/basket to carry supplies around in
*Hand rake

The tools you need will depend on what you plan to do, really.

Here are some websites that tell a little about gardening tools….

Http://www.thegardenhelper.com/tools.html
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=LawnGarden/GardenToolBG.html
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/toolbasics4gardens

Next, your plants….

You have three choices:

1. Seed
2. Bulb
3. Potted plants

For instant results, nothing beats the potted plant!
But… Nothing beats seed if you are wanting to stay on the economical side!
…Why not a combination, a few plants, and several packets of seed? =)

You can get seeds online, in garden shops (local nurseries, Walmart, Kmart, even the Dollar Stores)… Some grocery stores carry seeds.

What type of flowers/plants you choose really depends upon your preference.

As for flowers that are easy to start from seed, I would recommend Marigold, Zinnias, Pansies and Petunias.

You may want to choose a combination of flowers, foliage plants (Hostas, Caladium, Ferns, etc), herbs and even veggies if you’d like.

A couple of websites to get some tips and ideas….

Gardening for beginners: http://www.thegardenhelper.com/gardenerindex.html

Also see:

http://www.doityourself.com/scat/gardeningandoutdoor
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/

Good luck, and have fun in your new garden!
Gardening can be addictive… =)